Objectives: Patient blood management (PBM) is increasingly recognized as an essential strategy in obstetric care for reducing transfusion-related risks and improving maternal safety. Jehovah’s Witness (JW) women, who categorically refuse blood transfusion, represent a unique clinical population in which to evaluate the effectiveness of PBM. This study aimed to assess obstetric outcomes of JW women compared with non-JW women at a PBM-based center in Korea. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed delivery outcomes and PBM practices among JW women (n=205) with singleton pregnancies and non-JW women (n=601) who were matched at a 1:3 ratio using propensity scores at Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital between 2018 and 2023. The primary outcomes included obstetric morbidities, with particular attention to complications related to postpartum hemorrhage and the interventions used for its management. Results: JW women were more likely to receive intravenous iron administration (7.3 vs. 2.8%, p=0.008) and had higher hemoglobin (Hb) levels during the first trimester (12.6±1.1 vs. 11.8±3.4 g/dL, p=0.012) than non-JW women. Blood loss during cesarean section and the incidence of severe postpartum anemia (Hb <7 g/dL) were lower among JW women; however, these differences did not reach statistical significance. In the hemorrhage-related high-risk subgroup, JW women were managed according to PBM protocols without transfusion, and their obstetric outcomes were comparable to those observed in non-JW women. Conclusions This study identified no significant differences in hemorrhage-related obstetric outcomes between JW and non-JW women at a PBM-based center. The systematic application of PBM enables safe delivery in transfusion-restricted settings and may reduce reliance on blood transfusion while maintaining maternal safety.

Purpose: Prevention of vascular events is the main objective in patients with polycythemia vera (PV) or essential thrombocythemia (ET). Carotid ultrasonography (USG) is a safe and noninvasive diagnostic tool that can be used to stratify cardiovascular and stroke risks. In our previous study, carotid plaque burden was significantly higher in patients with PV/ET than in the general population. This study aimed to determine changes in carotid plaques in patients with PV/ET. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of patients with ET/PV who had undergone carotid USG at least twice. Results: Of the 56 patients, 30 had PV and 26 had ET. The carotid plaque score was increased in the follow-up carotid USG compared with that in the initial carotid USG (3.38 ± 1.47 vs. 3.73 ± 1.46, p = 0.0139). The carotid plaque burden at the time of follow-up carotid USG showed no significant differences in patients with a complete hematologic response (CHR); however, it significantly worsened in patients who failed to achieve CHR. Conclusion We confirmed that the carotid plaque burden persisted during follow-up in patients with PV/ET. A CHR may prevent an increase in carotid plaque burden.

Purpose: To compare the hematologic response to ropeginterferon alfa-2b versus available therapies in patients with hydroxyurea-resistant or intolerant polycythemia vera (HU-R/I PV) using propensity-matched real-world data. Methods: This retrospective propensity-matched cohort study compared a single-arm clinical trial cohort with a historical control cohort from five Korean institutions. We included 36 HU-R/I patients from a prospective phase II trial (PV IIT, registration number KCT0006138) and 81 matched historical controls. Propensity score matching and weighted analyses balanced the baseline characteristics (age, sex, disease duration, hematologic parameters, and HU status).The primary endpoint was a complete hematologic response (CHR) at 48 weeks. Results: At 48 weeks, ropeginterferon alfa-2b achieved significantly higher CHR rates (52%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 35–70%) than historical controls (15%; 95% CI: 8–27%; odds ratio 0.15; 95% CI: 0.07–0.33; p < 0.0001). This superiority remained consistent across various matching ratios and weighted analyses. Subgroup analyses showed higher response rates to ropeginterferon alfa-2b, regardless of HU status (resistant vs. intolerant), age (< 60 vs. ≥ 60 years), or disease duration (< 5 vs. ≥ 5 years). In the control group, the most common regimen was a combination of HU and phlebotomy (53%) with limited use of ruxolitinib (5.5%). Analyses confirmed robustness with no significant baseline imbalances after matching. Conclusion Ropeginterferon alfa-2b demonstrated superior early hematologic efficacy compared with conventional salvage therapies in Korean patients with HU-R/I PV. Extended follow-up is warranted to assess the long-term clinical benefits.

Educating primary care physicians about blood donation and transfusion is critical. The Division of Hematology and Oncology at Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital in Korea introduced an on-site educational program termed the Blood Donation Center Visiting Program in the clerkship education for final-year medical students. We evaluated the educational outcomes and changes in perception among medical students after the Blood Donation Center Visiting Program based on a survey. The program was implemented from 2021 to 2023. As part of the program, students visited a blood donation center each week, one group at a time. They gained practical knowledge about the blood donation process, and some students actively participated in blood donation. After the program, 287 students were eligible for an online survey of the program, of whom 203 participated in the survey. Among the 203 students, 126 (62.1%) donated blood during their visit to the blood donation center as part of the program, and 88.7% of the students reported an increase (from 71.4% to 90.1%) in their knowledge and willingness to donate blood. The onsite educational Blood Donation Center Visiting Program appears to have generated positive changes in perceptions among students and enhanced their knowledge about blood donation.

Educating primary care physicians about blood donation and transfusion is critical. The Division of Hematology and Oncology at Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital in Korea introduced an on-site educational program termed the Blood Donation Center Visiting Program in the clerkship education for final-year medical students. We evaluated the educational outcomes and changes in perception among medical students after the Blood Donation Center Visiting Program based on a survey. The program was implemented from 2021 to 2023. As part of the program, students visited a blood donation center each week, one group at a time. They gained practical knowledge about the blood donation process, and some students actively participated in blood donation. After the program, 287 students were eligible for an online survey of the program, of whom 203 participated in the survey. Among the 203 students, 126 (62.1%) donated blood during their visit to the blood donation center as part of the program, and 88.7% of the students reported an increase (from 71.4% to 90.1%) in their knowledge and willingness to donate blood. The onsite educational Blood Donation Center Visiting Program appears to have generated positive changes in perceptions among students and enhanced their knowledge about blood donation.

Educating primary care physicians about blood donation and transfusion is critical. The Division of Hematology and Oncology at Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital in Korea introduced an on-site educational program termed the Blood Donation Center Visiting Program in the clerkship education for final-year medical students. We evaluated the educational outcomes and changes in perception among medical students after the Blood Donation Center Visiting Program based on a survey. The program was implemented from 2021 to 2023. As part of the program, students visited a blood donation center each week, one group at a time. They gained practical knowledge about the blood donation process, and some students actively participated in blood donation. After the program, 287 students were eligible for an online survey of the program, of whom 203 participated in the survey. Among the 203 students, 126 (62.1%) donated blood during their visit to the blood donation center as part of the program, and 88.7% of the students reported an increase (from 71.4% to 90.1%) in their knowledge and willingness to donate blood. The onsite educational Blood Donation Center Visiting Program appears to have generated positive changes in perceptions among students and enhanced their knowledge about blood donation.

Educating primary care physicians about blood donation and transfusion is critical. The Division of Hematology and Oncology at Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital in Korea introduced an on-site educational program termed the Blood Donation Center Visiting Program in the clerkship education for final-year medical students. We evaluated the educational outcomes and changes in perception among medical students after the Blood Donation Center Visiting Program based on a survey. The program was implemented from 2021 to 2023. As part of the program, students visited a blood donation center each week, one group at a time. They gained practical knowledge about the blood donation process, and some students actively participated in blood donation. After the program, 287 students were eligible for an online survey of the program, of whom 203 participated in the survey. Among the 203 students, 126 (62.1%) donated blood during their visit to the blood donation center as part of the program, and 88.7% of the students reported an increase (from 71.4% to 90.1%) in their knowledge and willingness to donate blood. The onsite educational Blood Donation Center Visiting Program appears to have generated positive changes in perceptions among students and enhanced their knowledge about blood donation.